Let visions of sugarplums dance in your head while the spicy smell of gingerbread warms your kitchen. Creating a gingerbread house is a wonderful family activity that can become a great holiday tradition and here’s a great reason to start this year.

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce will host Franklin’s 1st Annual Gingerbread House Competition. The competition will be an added feature of Franklin’s Winter Wonderland Celebration Dec. 6 and 13 from 5 until 9 p.m. The gingerbread creations will be located in the boardroom at Franklin’s Town Hall (lower level) on Main Street.

Entry form and rules for the competition can be picked up at the chamber and are available on the chamber’s website at www.VisitFranklinNC.com. Deadline for registration is Monday, Nov. 25 and can be mailed or delivered to the chamber.

The competition will be divided into two divisions, adult and youth/children. Entry fees are $25 for adults and $10 for Youth/Children (12 and under).

Entries will be judged on a scale of 1-5 based on overall appearance, originality and difficulty. Use of gingerbread house kits are prohibited for the adult division but is permissible for the youth/children division. Entry specifics are listed on the application.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the grand prize winners of each division.The Adult Grand Prize Winner will receive $250 and the Youth/Child Grand Prize Winner will receive $100. Ribbons will be awarded to the second and third place winners in both divisions. Spectators will be given the opportunity to vote on their favorite entry determining the “People’s Choice.”

Entries should be delivered to the lower level of Town Hall Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 3 to 7 p.m. All entries will remain on display Dec. 6 and 13 and picked up Dec. 16.